Cuba Arrests Opposition Garcia Perez, Seizes Property

HAVANA -- Cuban dissident Jorge Luis Garcia Perez said Thursday that authorities held him for nine hours after storming his home and seizing his computer and other items.

"Fire trucks, commandos, ambulances and a high official" took part in Wednesday's operation at his residence in the central town of Placetas, Garcia Perez, commonly known as "Antunez," told Efe by telephone.

The authorities defaced posters with slogans such as "Long live free Cuba" before starting a search of the home, he said.

"They hit me, handcuffed me and proceeded to seize (things) without my presence and without warrants to do so," the dissident added.

Antunez, who was released from prison in 2007 after serving 17 years for spreading "enemy propaganda," among other offenses, said officials took his computer, informational materials, clothing and toys sent by Cuban exiles for distribution to children on the island.

Officials also struck and groped his wife, Iris Perez, the dissident said.

The raid was in retaliation for anti-government statements he made during a recent international tour that included stops in the United States, Poland, Hungary, Norway and Taiwan, Antunez said.

Cuba's Communist government dismisses most dissidents as counter-revolutionaries and "mercenaries" on the payroll of the United States.

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